Machine for washing dishes and other articles



July 2, 1929. a. WEBB MACHINE FOR WASHING DISHES AND OTHER ARTICLESFiled Dec. 25. 1926 :5 sneets sneep 1 IN VEN TOR.

T ORNEY.

G. WEBB CHINE FOR WASHING DISHES AND OTHER ARTICLES July 2, 1929.

Filed Dec. 23. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 AQU s. WEBB MACHINE FOR WASHINGDISHES OTHER ARTICLES FiledDec 2%;; 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 x Q k! a? 1 gE a ENE wb h wk WM e r vb E uh nr MWv Patented July 2,. I v I o I .um-T'D STATES PATENT? OFFICE.

GEORGE OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO COLTS PATENT FIRE ARESMIN'U'I'ACT'U'IBJNG' 00., O1 HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A. CORPORATION OIcommences.

MACHINE FOR WASHING AND OTHER ARTICLES.

' Application filed December 23, $86. Serial No. 156,568.

This inventi( 1n-re1ates to a machine of the now deemv preferable, butit will be undertype wherein the dishes or other articles are stood thatthe drawings are intended for il- 55 co'ntinuouslymoved by a conveyor orotherlustrative' purposes only and are not to be wise through themachine and wherein the construed as defining or limiting the scopedishes are subjected to one or'more washof the invention, the claimsforming a part ing operations during theirjsaid movement, of thisspecification being relied upon for r and theinvention-is particularlyapplicable that purpose. 60

to a machine havin two or more washing Of the drawings:

divisions-in which different washing-opera- Figure 1 is a right sideview of a dish .10. tions are performed" successively. washing machineembodying the invention. It has heretofore been the practice to con-Figa2'is a left side view of the machine.

struct a machine of this typewith a tank at Fig. 3 is a transversesectional view taken- 65 one side of the main casing, this tank be--.along the line 33 of. Fig.2.

ing adapted to receive and contain the main- Fig. 4 is a fragmentary endview showing body or bodies, of washing liquids. Pump the liquidcontaining tank and the supply mechanism has been provided forwithdrawpipes therefor. V 1 ing the liquid or liquids fromthe tank andFig. 5 is a detail view, partly in section, of 7 forcing them: throughsuitable spray dethe supplementalheater for the third washviceson'to thedishes or other articles being ng divisionwashed, the saidliquidsfall-ing onto a suit- Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perableguide or guides which direct them later--. spective view of the clutchand valvemecha; ally back into the tank. One' of theobjects n of-theinvention is to provide an improved Fig. 7 is a fragmehtary perspectiveview s'ystem'of devices for maintaining-the bodies of the treadle andassociated parts.

2 of liquids intwo' or more washing divisions Fig. 8 is a fragmentaryperspective view' .at the proper temperatures and for comof one of thesupporting drums for the con i pensating for wastage from thesaidbodies. ve or belt.

It has heretofore been the practice in. ig. 9 is a side view, partlyin'section,

certain machines of the present type to proshowing a part of theconveyor belt. and -a vide a foot lever for controlling the means partofone of the-supporting drums therethrough which power is supplied .todrive for. r

the conveyor, the foot lever being held in Fig.

depressed position to cause theo'peration of View of the conveyorbelt.

a the conveyor and the conveyor'being stopped Fig. 11 is a plan view ona still larger when the foot lever is released. Another scale, showingone unit of the conveyor belt.

; object'of the present invention is to provide Fig- 12 is a plan view,on the same scale automatically acting means for holding the as Fig. 10,showing another unit of thec'on- 90 foot lever in its depressed positionso, that veyor belt. "the continued pressure of the operators foot.Figs. 13 and'14 are plan views on the same 40 is not needed to maintainthe conveyor in scale as Fig. 10, showing still other units operation. sof'the conveyor belt. I A further objectof the invention-is to pro- IFig. -15 .is an enlarged fragmentary secvide a conveyor belt supportingtrack-having tional view taken along the line 15- 15 of certain improveddetails of construction and "F1". 10.. I t

mounting, and to provide other improved Referring to the drawings, 1represents features of construction for supporting and the maincasing ofthe mach 1ne,-th1s cas ng driving the conveyor belt. being generallyrectangular n cross sect on Further objects of the invention will be asshown in Fig. 3, andbelng provided with apparent from the followingspecification side walls 2 and 3, with a top wall 4 -and a and claim, Ibottom wall 5. The ends of the casing are g i In the'accompanyin'gdrawingsforming open, at leastin part, to permit the dishes apart ofthis specification,- I have shown the embodiment of the invention whichI duced at one end andto permit the washed 0 is an enlargedfragmentaryplan 8.)

or other articles to be Washed to be intro- I dishesor other articles tobe removed at the spective uprights 7, 7 and 8, 8. Suitable transversemembers such as 11 serve to connect the said uprightsand the saidhorizontal members. Preferably, for a purpose to be presently described,an additional longitudinal member 12 is located between the members 10,10 and connected at its ends with the transverse members 11. If desired,additional uprights 13, 13 may be provided between the uprights 7, 7 and8, 8 these uprights 13, 13 providing additional legs for supporting themachine.

Means is provided for moving thedishes to be Washed through the casing 1from end to end thereof and as concerns some of the features of theinvention, this moving means can be varied within wide limits.Preferably, however, and in accordance with other features of theinvention, the means for movingthe articles comprises an endlessopenwork conveyor which extends through the I casing substantially fromend to end thereof and which is adapted to have the dishes or otherarticles placed directly upon it. The endless belt of the conveyor isrepresented in the drawings at 14, this belt being supported at the endsof the machine by means of rollers or drums 15 and 16, one of whichserves for driving the belt, as will hereinafter be described in detail.The conveyor is operated in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1,the dishes being placed upon the belt at the left hand end of themachine and being discharged therefrom at the right hand end of themachine. I Y A tank 17 is provided for-containing a supply of cleansingliquid, this tank being at one side of the casing 1 and at one side ofthe path .of the articles through the said casing and below the level'of the said. path. Preferably, the tank-17 is carried by the main framework which has already been described and for this purpose the framework is provided with transverse members 18, 18 which are secured to themain longitudinal members 9 and .10.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the machinecomprises a plurality of. washing divisions through which the articlesare moved successively and in which they are subjected to difierentwashing operations. The number of divisions may be varied but forpurposespof illustration, I have shown three such divixsions. Eachdivision comprises a set of spray devices, a receptacle for a body of.washing liquid, means for withdrawing the means for automaticallyreturning the liquid to the receptacle from which it was withdrawn, thusmaintaining a continuous cycle of movement. members 9, 9 and 10, 1Oconnecting the rc- WVhen the machine is provided with three washingdivisions, the three receptacles for the respective divisions arepreferably formed by providing transverse partitions 19 and 20 in thetank 17, these partitions dividing the tank into three receptacles orcompartments 2], 22 and 23. ;Pump means are provided for withdrawingthe. liquids from the respective receptacles and for this purpose, Iprefer to provide a device having a single pump casing 24 with separatechambers therein. The pump device is preferably located directly beneaththe casing l and at one side of the tank 17. The pump device is shown ascomprising a longitudinally extending horizontal main shaft 25 onwhich'there are three separate impellers 26, 27 and 28 locatedrespectively in independent pump chambers 29, 30 and 31. A suitabledrive means, such as an electric motor 32, is provided for operating thepump.

'The pump device and the motor 32 are shown as supported upon a base'plate 33 carried by the-frame members 10 and 12. The suction sides ofthe pump chambers 29, 30 and 31 are connected respectively by means ofpipes 34, 35 and 36 with the respective receptacles or tank compartments21, 22 and 23. Preferably, in each tank is y a strainer 37 which servesto prevent refuse and the like from entering the corresponding pipe 34,35 or 36.

The details of the spray devices in the respcctive washing divisions canbe varied but I prefer to provide and haveshown two horizontal spraypipes 38 and 39 in each division extending transversely across thecasing and located respectively above and below theupper run of theconveyor 14. The said spray pipes 38 and 39 are rovided with holeslocated respectively in t e. lower and upper parts thereof so that thesaid spray pipes serve to deliver the washing liquid in oppositedirections against the articles on the conveyor 14. The washing liquidis supplied to the spray-pipes in the respective divisions by means ofsupply pipes 40, 41 and 42, which areconnected respec tively with thedischarge sides of the pum chambers 29, 30 and 31. Preferably I providean inspection opening in the side wall of the Casing adjacent 1,719,410I 'i i 3;

each pair or group of spray 38 and 39. When there are three groups ofspray'devicesas shown there are providedth'ree separate inspectionopenings 40*, 41! and 42 lon-' gltudinally spaced "in accordance withthe long tudinal spacing of the saidspray pipes. The said openings 40,41' and 42 are nor-v mally closed by means ofdoorsjio 41". and

42" these doors being independently openable to permit inspectionof onegroup of spray devices'independentlypf the others.

I do not necessarily limit myself as concerns the constructlon andmounting of the sad doors 41 and 42" but I have shown them -c arged fromthem vvill pass directly into,

the correspondingreceptacles or tank compartments 21-, 22 and 23.Preferably, and as shown, the bottoms of the discharge openings areadjacent the bottom wall 5 of the casing, thus making it possible "forany liquids on the said bottom wall to. pass out through the'dischargeopenings into the corresponding tank eompartments.- As-shown there isprovided at each of the discharge openings 43, 43, a spout orchute 44,which projects outward over the corresponding: re-

laterall inclined guide plate forre'ceivceptacle. This serves to preventany liquids from entering any opening which mi ht extend between the.casing and the tank.

Preferably,I provide for each division a ing an guiding laterally atleast a portionof the liquid discharged from the correthrough thecorresponding discharge openspending spray devices. When the main casing1 is provided with acontinuous integral bottom wall 5 as shown, theremovable guide plates are located abovethe said bottorn wall andpreferably also above the lower run of the conveyor, as indicated inFig.- 3. 1 Each plate is so located that the liquids re,- ceived upon itare discharged laterally ingin the side wall of the casing-and'into thecorresponding tank compartment. Each guide plate 45 is .maideremovable,thus making it possible for the plate itself to be easily cleane andfurther making-it: possi ble for.- access to be conveniently hadto theportions of the conveyor and of the ebottomqwall 5 located below theguide plate.

.I prefer. to so construct and'locate the guide plate 45 that it can beremoved laterally through the corresponding discharge opening-43 asshown in Fig. 3.- The main bodyof the plate 45 is inclined inorder topreferably qt r m t h when necessary guide the a aited-1131'sdescribed,'but esides'of' the plate are page tended upward to form horizontalsupports or guides which enable-the plateto be re moved in a-horizontaldirection, the plate passing through the position shown by dotted lines.

Preferably, in'addition to. the three guide plates 45, 45, beneaththerespective spray device's, I prcvidc other parts which. to-' gether withthe said guide plates, constitute a'shieldextending,l;as an entirety,through out the; greater part of the length of the casing. The shieldcomprises-in each division longitudinally inclined sections 47,47 whichare formed at their edges-with flanges for engaging the horizontalsupports or guides 46, 46 on the correspondmgguide plate.-" Stops 45.are provided for engaging the'corresponding shieldsections 47 to limitinward movement of each uide plate. It will be apparent that the siieldas an entirety serves to receive. the greater part of the liquiddischarged from-the several spray devices and as directit onto therespective guide plates which serve,to'guid e it laterally outwardthroughthe discharge openings in thecasing and into the tankcompartments.

Any liquid whichfmay not be caught by the shield or which may escape. atthe edges of the guide plates 4 ,45 'is caught by the bot;

tom wall! of the casing. I

Preferably inorder to reduce to a m1n1-' mum .themixing of the separatebodies of liquid as they pass through the c asing, par-, titions orguards are provided. Mounted upon the shield aretwo upward extendingguards-48, $8, thesepartitions registering,

titions. '19 and 20 in, the tank. Projecting each set o-f-such meanscomprises acentra'lice or approximately registering, with the par l,downward from the topof the casing are two sets of, "guarding? inea'ns.As 4 shown,

partition 49 located directly above the cor-q responding partition 48"and it :also comprises two other uard partitions50, 50 which servetocatc some ofthe s lashand to further prevent mixin -ofthe liquids.

In j order to-prevent as} scra or refu's'e'jrom passing ing 'quids' intothe lower-pa compartments, are rothe washvided-respectivel' V j extendacrossth ppera-part of the said compartments ail hich arelocated in theaths. of 'the rat-ely from It a in order that-ft n "order further thatcompartments may be the interiors of,-

to-p'revent splash an inspected. -lino for other y covered, t e coverm'.means comprismg at least in amper-ab edbors 52, 52 located,

, Pos ible any.

discharged thereinto.- h reely removable sepax spective compartmentsreens may. be cleaned a i of the com th'sc're'e ns 51,51,w ich v thecorresponding guide plate to be removed above the respective screens 51,51 doors are inchned as clearly shownm Fig.

-3 and they are solocated that the opening of thexdoor not only providesaccess to the interior of the corresponding compartment, but alsoprovidesaccessto the corresponding discharge opening in the casing andpermits from the machine as shown in Fig. 3. The

doors are shown as hinged at theirnpper edges. It will be seen thatinasmuch as I have provided separate tank doors, one for each division,it is possible by opening the proper door to inspect any one of theco1npartments andremove the screen therefrom iarily maintain the-heatthereof when necessary. As illustrated, there are pipes 53, 54 and 55communicating with the respective compartments 21, 22 and 23, the saidpipes being provided respectively with valves 56, 57 and 58. As shown inFi 4', the said pipes. connect with a manifold 59 and with the manifoldare connected two pipes 60 and 61 provided respectively with valves 62and 63. One of the said pipes is connected with a water supply and theother with a steam supply. It will be obvious that'by properlymanipulating the valves 56, 57, 58, 6-2 and 63, either water or steam orboth may be admitted as required to any of the tank compartments. I

In order to control the level of the liq-' compartments overflow uids inthe several pipes 6 4, 64: are provided in the respective compartments,these pipes communicating with. a main discharge pipe '65. Thus thelevel of the liquid in any compartment is prevented from rising abovethe top ofthe corresponding pipe. Each pipe is seated in By raising anyone of the pipes the liquid a sleeve 66 l'1avmg an opening 67 therein.-

may be permitted to drain out of the correspending compartment. The.first -compart-.

meat 21 is preferably also provided with an overflow slot 68. whichcommunicates with a pipe 69 leading 'into the main discharge pipe 65.Adjacent the slot 68 there is a removable screen' 70 through whichliquid inuslt pass before entering the .pipe 69. "The eve The

form. prises a cylinder within which is-cox'itained o f-th e slot G8-issomewhat below the level of the top of the corresponding pipe '64.- andthe normal overflow from thecoms partment 21 is therefore through theslot 68, thus causing the grease and eating refuse to pass through theslot 68 and-through the screen .70 instead of passing directly-into themainv discharge pipe through the over- 'ffiow pipe 64:. I

In the operation of the machine, abody of liquid is maintained thefirst'division, which liquid contains a suitable detergent and ismaintained at a proper moderately low temperature. This liquid iscontinuouslycirculated and sprayed against the dishes or other articlesas already described. The body of liquid in the second di than that.inthe first division and this liquid may also, if desired, contain asuitable amount of detergent. This liquid is similarly circulated andsprayed against the dishes or other articles. The liquid in'the thirddivision is substantially clean water which is kept ator near vision ispreferably maintained at amuch higher temperature the boiling point.-This liquid is similarly circulated and sprayed against the. dishes orother 'articleslreferably, in addition to subjecting the dishes orotherarticles to the action of the three bodies of washing liquid asdescribed, I also subject them to a final rinsing spray. For, thispurpose, I have shown a plurality-of rinsing nozzles 71, 71 and 72, 72-located respectively above and below the path of the dishes, thesenozzles being connected with a supply pipe 73. 'lihe rinse waterdelivered through the nozales 7 I, 71 and 72, 72 is at or near theboilmg temperature in order that it may serve, not only to rinse thedishes but also, to sterilize them and heat them to facilitate drying.The rinse water falls onto the shield which has been described and iscaused by the corresponding guide plate 45 .to pass into thetanlccompartnuent23 contannngthe clean or substantially clean hot water asalready described. This rinse water added to the body-of water in thecompartment 23 assists in heating the said body of water and may in somecases-heat .it sutiiciently to avoid the necessity for any othcrheatin-gby means of steam introduced by means of the pipe 55.

For heating the water delivered to.the

rinse spray nozzles through the pipe 73,-I preferably provide "a steamoperated heater 74 which may be of any usual .or preferred I have showna heater which com a coiled pipe 75 connected at one end with the rinsewater pipe 73 and at the other end with a water supply pipe 76.. pliedto the interior o-f.. the to surround the coil 7 5; a pipe 77 beingshown for this purpose. The water isthus Steam is supcylinder so asheated to approximately the temperature of tl e stean as it passesthrough'the said coil.

75. 'The exhaust steam and, the water of condensation from the heater 74pass through a pipe 78 into the compartment 22 of the second washingdivision and servetwo purposes,first to heat the liquid in the saidcompartment and second to increase the volumethereofand' compensate forlosses and wastage.

'The maintenance of the proper tempera ture of. thelliquidfin the firstwashin divis on is very important. This liqui requires a considerableamount of heatin for the. reason that there is a-tendency fhr it to berapidlycooledby coming into contact with the freshly introduced colddishes, but suitable provision must be made to prevent the'water beingheated beyond 'a proper .predetermined temperature as the use of too hotliquid for the initial washing tends to bake certain materials upon thedishes instead of removing the said materials. In order that thetemperature of the liquid in. the first division may be properlycontrolled, I prefer' to provide a thermostatically controlled heatingmeans.

. As shown and as preferred," steam is supplied to the interior of thecompartment 21 through a pipe79 and the flow of steam through this pipeis regulatedby ineans of a valve 80. Projectinginto the compartment 21is a suitable thermostatic device 81, this device being connected withthe valve 80 by means of a :flexible pipe 82. The thermostatic device.81 does not of itself form any part ofthe invention and anyof .the wellknown devices adapted for this purpose may be used. The device shownoperates through a column of liquid'con-' tainedin the pipe 82 andacting-upon the valve 80. A guard 83 within the compartment and a-guard84 outside thereof protect-the thermostatic device from mechanicalinjury. \Vhen the temperature in the compartment 21 reaches apredetermined point, the valve 80 is automatically closed and when. thetemperature falls below a predetermined oint, the valve 80 isautomatically opener In practice, .the valve is ordinarily maintained ina partly open position so ';a s-'to p'ermit ;.a' continuous flow ofsteam just suflicient to compensate for the heat losses in the liquiddue rimarily to its coming into contact with t e co'ld dishes.

Becauseiof the consideral-iie amount of heating required, the condensedsteam which is addedto the liquid is ordinarily sufficient to maintainthe required volume of the liquid thereto of the hot rinse water.

and compensate for wastage.

As already stated, the water in the third division is primarily heatedby the addition In some cases this may not be suflicient and it may benecessary to 'auxiliarly heat the water by means of steam introducedthrough the pi e 55. Preferably, I provide a thermostatic evice forcontrolling the flow of steamso as to maintain the water at the re'uired temperature. A suitable device'for t is purpose sindicated at '85in Fig. 1 and is shown in.

greater detail in Fig. 5. Carried by the" pipe is a small open sided bodhaving a valve seat at 86. Within, the b0 y is-a de- VICQ'87 whichincludes an element adapted to expand and contract in'accordance withtemperature variations, this element carrying a valve closure 88cooperating with the seat 86. When-the water is at a proper temperaturethe valve closure 88 is held against the seat 86, butwhen thetemperature falls the valve closure is withdrawnfromthe seat and steamis admitted;

Under some circumstances, the condensed steam from the heater 74 is notsufficient to maintain the required volume of liquid in the secondcompartment 22. In order. to supply additional liquid tothe saidcompartment, I ma use and have 'shown a transfer pipe 89 whichdischarges into 'the said c'ompartment 22. The pipe 89 is connectedatbottom wall 5. A certain amount of this leakage enters the basin 90and thence passes into the compartment 22. The overflow may not be largebut only a small amount is required to maintain the liquid in. thecompartment 22 at the proper level.

The mechanism for drivin the conveyor preferably receives its power fromthe pump shaft 25 already described. Directly coupled to the pump shaft25 is a conveyor drive shaft 91 upon which is mounted a worm 92 meshingwith a worm wheel 93 on a transverse-shaft 94. Mounted in alignment withthe transverse shaft 94 is a second transverse ble by means of a clutch96, this clutch being shown as of the positively acting jaw-type.-

wheel 100 anda chain 101passes around this shaft 95, and these twoshafts are connecti- .and operable by means of abe'll-crank 99. At theend of the shaft .95 is a sprocket sprocket wheel and around another srocket wheel 101 on an idler shaft 102. c said shaft 102 carries asecond smallersprocket 103 around which passes a chain 104,-the saidchain also assing around a sprocket 105 secured to the shaft 106 onwhlch'the conve or drum 15 is mounted.

or controlling the starting and'stoppiug of the conveyor, I preferablyuse a mechanism similar in many respects to that disclosed in the,patent of'Elbert L. Couch, No.-1,640,-

693-issuediAugustg30, 1927; For operating the clutch 96, there isprovided a lever 107' whichrengages, one arm of the bell cranklever'.99. The. outer end ofthe leverf107 is connected by means of alink 108 with a lever 109 on a transverse rock shaft 110, shown mostclearly in Fig. 7. Carried by the rock shaft 110 is a foot treadle111,'this treadle being in osition to be within convenient reach of t ieoperator who is engaged in removing the dishes as they-are deliveredfrom the machine. An adjustable stop 111 is provided for the treadlelll.It will be 'see'n-that when the treadle is moved downward, the lever 107is moved in the clockwise direction, thus moving the bell crank lever99' in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig.6 and engaging the'clutch 96. A

. spring 112 tends to move the lever 107 in the counterclockwisedirection, thus disen-- The latch'is .so positioned that the operatorcan easily engage it with his foot so as to move .it backward'andrelease the treadle, thus permitting the clutch to be disengaged..-

It will beseen that the provision of the latch obviates the necessity ofthe operator keepdescribe serves as a safety preventlnjury to themachine or to the openter in case a broken dish or anything ing-his footcontinuously upon the trcadle as has been necessary in accordance withrior practice. At the sametime, it makes it possible for the operator toeasily and quickly stop'the machine by a simple foot motion, that is, byreleasing the latch. and permitting the treadle to rise.

A shelf 115 is provided adjacent the delivery -end of the conveyor, thisshelf serving to guide dishes from the conveyor onto a table (notshown). The shelf is pivoted for movement about a transverse axis at116' and it is normally held in position adjacent the conveyor by meansof springs 117, 117." The link'108 is not directly con nected with thelever 107 but is connected therewith by means of a latch 118 which ispivoted to the lever and which engages a shoulder on the link at 119.One of the arms carrying'the shelf 115 is provided with an extension 120carrying a transverse stud 121 which engages the latch 118. Theconstruction is such that when the shelf is moved outward, the'latch 118is disengaged from the shoulder 119, thus permitting" the lever 107 tomove under. the influence of the spring 112 and to disengage theclutchandsto the conveyor. The construction mechanism to else becomes gammc'dbetween the'conveyor and the shel It will be seenlthat'when theshelf.115\has been movedand the latch -118 v disengaged, re-enga ementof the latch isimpossible until the s elf o'bstruction has been removedand the shelf hus been re-- turned to its normal osition b means of thesprings 117. It'wi 1 further observed that the retin-n of the shelf toneutral posi tion will not start the machine. Thestarting of theconveyor canbe efiecte'donly by raising the treadle andcorrespondinglylowering the link '108 so as to permit'the' \latch 118 toengage the. shoulder.; 119.

Preferably, as shown most clearly in Fig.

6, a valve 73 is provided for controlling 'the flow of rinse waterthrough. the pipe 7;- This valve is so constructed that it tends toclose itself, and it is provided with a stem 73" by means of which itmaybe opened and held open. For moving the valve stem 73, alever 107 isprovided -arranged to be operated by the lever 107.. -When the inner endof the lever 107 is moved downward to move the be'll-erank 99 andcngagethe clutch, 96, the 1ever107 is moved in theclockwise diredtion toopen the valve 73. When the lever'107 is moved in the opposite directionto release the clutch, the valve 73 is permitted'to close.

The conveyor belt'a'nd the mounting therefor as shown-in detailin Figs.8 to 15 -are not claimed .as a part ,of thepresent invention, thesebeingset forth and claimed in my copending application'& for link beltc'onveyor, Serial N 0. 199,089 filed June 15, 1927 as a division of thispresent application. The said conveyor belt comprises a seriesofarticulated links or units, one of which is shown in detail in Fi 11.Atcach side ofeach unit are two similar metallic plates 122 and123 andbetween these two plates there is held'asheet or plate 124: ofrelatively soft non-metallic material, such as fiber. The two pairs ofplates at each side of the unit are connected at each end by means ofatube 125 which is riveted over at its ends to hold the plates and tothus connect the ,parts'of the unit.

In assembling the chain belt, the several main units are arranged asshown in Fig. 10 and they are pivotally connected together by means oftubes or bushings 126, 120 which extend transversely -throughoutsubstantially the entire width of the-belt.

Preferably, rollers 127, 127, are provided at the edges of the chain-forsupporting it on suitable rails or guideways in the washing machine. Formounting the rollers, special llllkS. or un ts areprovlded as shown indetail in Fig. 12. Each unit comprises ilarly spaced. As indicated bydotted lines in Fig. 12, a. roller 129ismounted on one of thesebushings.

In addition to the units already described, there are auxiliarconnecting links 130,130

g and 131, 131 as s lOWIl in detail in Figs. 13

'. units.

and 14' respectivcly. Each link 1330 has two inward'extendingbushings130}, 130 of the same diameter as the tubes 126. Similarly eachlink 131 has two outward extending bushings 131, 131 also of t e samediameter as the tubes 126.

The several units and links are assembled in the relation shown inFig.10, the bushings 13O and 131 extending intothe corresponding largerbushings 129 of the roller In order to' tie together all of the parts ofthe chain belt and to prevent the said parts from moving longitudinallyof the tubes 126, 126, I provide tie rods 132, 132, which extend throughthe said "tubes- 126, 126 respectively and through the correspondingbushings 130 and-.131. The said tie rods are provided with removablemeans at the. ends such asnuts 133, 133 for holding the said rods inplace. It will be obvious that by removing the nuts the en-.

tire chain belt or'any-part thereof may be disassembled to. permit therepair 'or replacement of parts.

The drum. 15 at the drivin endlis provided at eachlend with a head inthe form of a sprocket wheel 134. This wheel is provided withprojections 135, 135 having notches for receiving the bushings 129, 129-between the rollers 127, 127. Each sprocket wheel is also provided withrecesses 136, 136 to receive the rollers 127, 127, .ample clearancebeing provided so that the rollers are free, thus permitting the/chainlinks or units to directly engage the drum. The

V drum 16 at the other end isprovided with a head at each end similar tothose for the drum 15, but without the notched projections 135, 135.

The rails for engaging the rollers 127,

' 127 and for thus supporting the upper run ;-the rail and into suitableapertures inthe movably supported in the main casing 1 bymeans ofbrackets 138,138 and each of them is held against longitudinal movementby means of pins 139 (shown in Fig. 2) extendmg outward from thevertical portion of corresponding bracket. Preferably, in addition tothe rails 137, 137 for supporting the upper run of the conveyor, Iprovide other similar' rails 140, 140 for supporting j the lowerrunthereof. These rails 140, 1&0 are larly supported.

.. similar to the rails 137, 137' and are simi.-'

'of the horizontal section adjacent the interruption being turneddownward. It will be noted .that each interruption 141 is in registerwith the corresponding dividing partition 48. and that any drip from theturned down portion will remain on the corresponding side of thepartition. The purpose of the interruption is to prevent liquid from onewashing division from flowing along the horizontal rail section, perhapsaided in such flow by the travel of the conveyor, and-passing into thenext adjacent washing division. The interruptions in the rail serve toprevent this transfer of liquid from one washing division to another.The lower rails 140, 140 may be providedwith similar interruptions 142,142 and auxiliary dividing partitions 143, 143 may be provided inregister with the said interruptions.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for washing dishes or other articles, the combination ofa main casing open at its endsand partly open at and of the pathof thearticles therethrough and below the level of the said path, the saidtank having a plurality of compartments arranged in a longitudinal rowvand each adapted or containing a supply of cleansing liquid, a plurality0 separate independent doors coverin the respective compartments of thetank and also covering the side opening of the casing, means forwithdrawing the liquids from the respective compartments and delivingmoved through the casing by the said moving means, and a pluralityofguide plates within the casing below the path of the articles andarranged to receive respectively the liquids separately delivered asaforesaid and falling from the said articles and from the moving meanstherefor, the said plates normally serving to separately guide the saidliquids laterally into the respective tanl compartments and the saidplates registering with the respective doors and each being freelyremovable independently of each other laterally through the openside ofthe casing when the registering separate door is open.

2. In a machine for washingdishes-or other articles and comprising aplurality of washing divisions, the combination of means formovingthearticles to be washed successively through the said divisions, aplurality of receptacles in the respective divisions forcontainingseparate bodies, of washing ering them separately against thearticles bep liquids, means for withdrawing the li uids from therespective receptacles and'dehveringthem separately against thearticlesbes ing moved through the division's by the said moving means,the said liquids automatically returning to the respective'receptaclesfrom which they are withdrawn, means for de-' lives-mghot rinse.wateragainst the articles -in.the last division, the said rinse. waterflowing into the receptacle in the said division and serving to heat themain body of 11 1nd therein, a steamoperat-ed heater for-the rinse"water through which the said water flows.

' sepaiatefibodies of washing liquids, means for withdrawing the liquidsfrom the respective receptacles and delivering them separately againstthe articles being. moved through the divisions .by the said movingmeans,- the said liquids automatically re-' turning to the respectivereceptacles from which they are withdrawn, means for de-- livering hotrinse water against the articles inthe third division, the said rinsewater flowing into the rece tacle inthe said division and serving to iiliquid therein, a steam operated heater for the rinse water throughwhich the said water flows to the delivering means therefor,

means for conducting the exhauststeamand.

' water of condensation from the heater to the receptacle in the seconddivision to heat the main body of liquid therein, and thermostaticallycontrolled means independent of the said heater for heating the liquidin the receptacle in the first division.

4. In a machine for washing dishes or other articles and comprisingthree washing divisions, the combination of meansfor movingthe articlesto be washed successively 4 through the said divisions, threereceptacles withdrawing the liquids in the respective divisions forcontaining separate bodies of washin liquids, means for from therespective receptacles and delivering them separately against thearticles being moved through the divisions by the said moving means, thesaid liquids automaticallyreturning to the respec-' t-ivereceptacles-from which they are withdrawn, means for delivering hotlrnse water against the articles in the third division, the saidrinsewater flowing into the receptacle in the said division and serving toheat the main body of liquid therein, a steam operated heater for therinse water through eat the main body of which the said ater flows totin-delivering means therefor, means for conducting the exhaust steamand water of condensation -from'the heater $0 1 11c receptacle in thesecond division'to heat the main body of liquid therein, meanssupplemental to "the rinse water for -.auxiliarily lieating the liquidin the receptacle in thethird division, and

thermostatically controlled means independent'of the said heater forheating the liquid .in the receptacle in the first division.

5. In a machine forjwashi'n gdishes or other articlesthe combination ofan endless openwork conveyor for carrying throughthe machine thearticles to be washed, means for driving the conveyor, means for washingthe said articles while being moved by ,the conveyor, a foot treadlenear the floor at thedelivery end of the conveyor in position to beengaged-by the foot of an operator'engaged in removing the washedarticles from' the machine, the said treadle being movable downwardtorenderthe driving means operative and upward to' render the saidmeans'inoperative, and an automatically engaging latch for holding thetreadle in its lower position,'the said latch being releasable by theoperators foot topermit the treadle to move upward.

6. In a machine for washingdishes or other articles, the combination ofan endless openwork conveyor for carrying through the machine thearticles to be was d, means for. driving the conveyor, means for washingthe said articles while being moved by the conveyor, means for startingand stopping the conveyor, a shelf movable relatively to the conveyorand serving to receive' the washed articles therefrom, a foot treadlenear'the floor at the delivery end of the con- .veyorv in position to beengaged by the foot ,of an operator engaged in removing the nectingmeans between the treadle andfthe starting and stopping means includinga-releasable latch, the said connecting means serving to render thedriving means operative upon downward movement of the treadle andserving to render the said means inoperative upon upward movement-of thetreadle, an automatically engaglng latch, for holding the treadlerin itslower position, the

washed articles from the said shelf, a. consaid latch being releasableby theoperators and means controlled by the movement 0 thesaidshelf inthe direction of travel of.

' foot to permit the treadle to mo've.upward v the conveyor forreleasing the first said latch and thereby operating the starting and fstopping means to stop the conveyor while the second siiid latch remains'in engaged position. a

7. In a machine for washing dishes or other-articles and comprising aplurality .of washing divisions,the'combination of an open ended casing,means for washing the said articles withinthe casing,' an endlessopenwork conveyor for moving the articles to be washed successivelythrough the said divisions, the said 'coiiveyorcomprising a 5 chainbelthaving two series of supporting rollers at therespective sides thereof,and two rails at the s des of. the casing for enanother.

ing an opening in the rail engaging surface 10 thereof to prevent lignidfrom flowing along the said surface rom one division to- GEORGE WEBB.

